Shimei

Shimei - שמעי is the name of a number of persons referenced in the Hebrew Bible and Rabbinical literature.

• The second son of Gershon and grandson of Levi (Ex. vi. 17; Numbers 3:18; I Chronicles 6:17). The family of the Shimeites, as a branch of the tribe of Levi, is mentioned in Numbers 3:18, 21; I Chronicles 23:7, 10, 11 ("Shimei" in verse 9 is evidently a scribal error); and in Zechariah 12:13.

• A friend of King David (I Kings 1:8)
• A Benjamite of Bahurim, son of Gera, "a man of the family of the house of Saul" (II Samuel 16:5-14, 19:16-23; I Kings 2:8-9, 36-46). He is mentioned as one of David's tormentors during his flight before Absalom, and as imploring and winning David's forgiveness when the latter returned. David, however, in his dying charge to Solomon, bade him avenge the insult (I Kings 2:9).
• A brother of David, called also Shammah, Shimeah, and Shimea (I Samuel 16:9; 17:13; II Samuel 13:3; 21:21; I Chronicles 2:13; 20:7)
• Son of Elah, one of Solomon's prefects, over the district of Benjamin (I Kings 4:18)
• A grandson of Jeconiah and brother of Zerubbabel (I Chronicles 3:19)
• A grandson of Simeon, who is described as the father of sixteen sons and six daughters, and whose clan dwelt in southern Palestine (I Chronicles 4:26, 27)
• A Reubenite (I Chronicles 5:4)
• Levites (I Chronicles 6:29, 42; 25:17; II Chronicles 29:14; 31:12, 13)
• A Benjamite chief who had nine sons (I Chronicles 8:21, R. V.; comp. ib. v. 13)
• "The Ramathite," one of David's officers (I Chronicles 27:27)
• A Levite and other Israelites whom Ezra required to put away their foreign wives (Ezra 10:23, 33, 38)
• Grandfather of Mordecai (Esther 2:5).

References

•  This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: "Shimei". Jewish Encyclopedia. 1901–1906.